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US OPEN SHOCK: Novak Djokovic Sparks Fury as ‘Deplorable Behaviour’ Overshadows Quarter-Final Victory – Hostile Crowd, Umpire Clash, and Rising Tensions Before Blockbuster Semi-Final with Alcaraz
The US Open 2025 has been thrown into controversy after Novak Djokovic’s fiery quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz was marred by explosive scenes both on and off the court. The Serbian great booked his place in the semi-finals with a hard-fought four-set triumph, but instead of headlines celebrating his performance, attention has turned to his confrontation with the umpire and an increasingly hostile New York crowd.
Midway through the clash, Djokovic appeared visibly rattled by the constant noise and jeering from sections of the stands. At one point, the 24-time Grand Slam champion stormed over to the chair umpire, unleashing a furious tirade over what he described as “disrespectful and disruptive behaviour.” The heated exchange only inflamed the atmosphere, with boos raining down as Djokovic attempted to regain composure.
Commentators and fans alike have since condemned what some are calling “deplorable behaviour”, with criticism directed both at the crowd’s hostility and at Djokovic’s inability to keep his composure. For the world No. 1, who thrives on pressure, this latest episode has once again placed him at the center of a storm he did not need on the eve of a titanic showdown.
Djokovic will now face Carlos Alcaraz in a semi-final already billed as one of the biggest matches in modern tennis. The two men have developed the sport’s fiercest new rivalry — experience and control against fearless youth and raw power. But questions remain over whether Djokovic’s clash with the umpire and the negative energy from the crowd could affect his focus heading into the blockbuster.
Elsewhere in the men’s draw, Felix Auger-Aliassime faces Alex de Minaur later today, with the winner set to meet either Jannik Sinner or Lorenzo Musetti in the other semi-final. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka advanced after reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova was forced to withdraw before their match due to a knee injury sustained during warm-up.
With the drama reaching fever pitch, all eyes now turn to Djokovic and Alcaraz — a battle that promises to be as much about mental resilience as it is about physical brilliance.
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